Cleaning device



Jan. 20, 1942.

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Jan. 20, 1942 Y J. w. CI- IAMBE RLIN' ET AL CLEANING DEVICE Filed May 19, 1939 Sheets-Sheet a INVENTORJL ATTORNEYS.

Patentecl Jan. 20, 1942 CLEANING DEVICE John W. Chamberlin and Be: Earl Bassett, In, South Bend, Ind.

Application May 19, 1939, Serial No. 274,594

11 Claims.

This invention relates to cleaning upholstery and other materials, especially those of a character to be cleaned most conveniently by moving a portable cleaning device over the surface 01 the work.

An object of the invention is to provide simpleand easily manipulated means for treating with a cleaning liquid the material being operated upon, progressively, by moving a cleaning device over its surface in a manner analogous .to the operation of a vacuum cleaner. To this end, from. one point of view the invention may be regarded as concerned with forcing the cleaning liquid against a limited area or zone of the work, while continuously withdrawing it from an immediately adjacent area or none, preferably by suction. Thus the cleaning liquid is continuousl forced into and drawn out ofthe work by a cleaning device readily moved progressively across the surface'of the work.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable cleaning device in which the material to be cleaned is brushed or rubbed at the same time as it is treated with cleaning. liquid; According to one important feature the brush is moved by compressed air or the like which is also used to spray the cleaning liquid onto the material.

Various features of novelty relate to struction' and arrangement of the parts of the cleaning device, and particularly in the cooperative arrangement of two adjacent nozzles (one preierably extending part or all of the way around the other) through one of which atomized cleaning liquid is forced under fluid pressure against the work, and to the other of which suction is applied todraw the liquid away from the work after its cleaning action has taken place.

Still other features relate to the arrangement of a brush in the inner nozzle and to the provision of motor means in the nozzle for rotating the brush.

The above and other objects and features of. the invention will beapparent from the following description of the illustrative embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the apparatus, the suction-producing device being shown in section; v

Figure 2 is a section through the portable device which is intended to be moved by the operator over the surface of the work;

Figure 3 is a side view of another portable device; and

Figures is an end view of the device of Figure 3. 65 posite the handle l2, toform attaching means for In the term illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the

cleaning device includes a die-cast body l0, one

end of which extends downwardly nearly at a right angle to form a handle l2, and which has a suitable lug it for engagement by the operators fingers to facilitate grasping and manipulating the device.

-A passage It for fluid under pressure, usually compressed air, extends through the body in and handle 52 to a fitting l8 adapted for connection through a conduit 20, at least part of which is flexible, tea source of pressure fluid. The source the conillustra is the air tank 22 of an air compressor unit having a motor 28 driving a compressor it automatically controlled in the usual. manner to maintain a predetermined pressure in the tank 22. The passage i6 is under the control of a spring-closed air valve 28.

The body it of the device is also formed with a right angle passage 30 for cleaning liquid. This passage extends through a boss 32 to which is attached (with a ground joint to insure that no air leakage takes place), by means such as an attaching nut 34 threaded on the end of the boss 32, at an angle approximately paralleling the handle ii, a reservoir for cleaning liquid, such as one of the carbon tetrachloride group of noninflammable dry-cleaning liquids.

This reservoir includes a can-shaped body 35 adapted to be held in sealing engagement with a gasket $6 of rubber or other suitable material provided around the periphery 'of a cover 31. The

cover s1 has riveted or otherwise secured therein a boss as which forms the attaching means en- I gaged by the nut 36. The outer surface of said boss is formed with coarse threads engaged by a winged nut as which in turn engages a yoke it provided with a suitable central opening through which the boss projects. The yoke so has oppositely directed notches M, on downwardly turned endsthereoi which engage diametrically disposed pins d2 secured to the can-shaped body 35 and hold the body tightly against said gasket when the nut 33 is rotated in one direction, and loosely,

so as to permit removal'and refilling, when the nut St is rotated in the opposite direction. The

boss is formed with a passage opening into the passage at, and connecting toa conduit as secured to the boss and extending to the bottom of the can orbody 38.- This conduit is bent at such an angle that-it opens'from the side which is the lower side when the device is in use.

An internally and externally threaded ring 4 is shown threaded on the end-of the body w opa shouldered clamp ring 46 which attaches to the end of the body two annular members 48 and 56. The member 48 forms a conical outlet for the liquid passage 30, and cooperates with a needle valve formed on the end of a rod 62.

The member 56 cooperates with the member 46 to form an annular air chamber 54 communicating with the air passage I6 through an opening in member 46. The members 48 and 50 define between them; at the left, an annular air passage or nozzle surrounding the end of the liquid outlet, whereby the air issuing under pressure atomizes and entrains the cleaning liquid and projects it against the work being cleaned.

The needle valve rod 52 has its end slidably seated in a plug 56 threaded into the handle I2, at one side of the passage I6 therein, and is provided with a collar 58, a valve-closing spring 60 being sleeved on the rod and compressed between the plug 56 and the collar 56. Both of the valves 28 and 62 are adapted to be opened by pressure on a lover or trigger 62 pivoted on the body II).

The spray of air and cleaning liquid formed when the trigger 62 is pulled toward the handle I2 is directed against the surface of the work by a flaring elongated mouth or pressure nozzle 64, shown as diecast in one piece with an encircling wall 66 forming an annular suction mouth or nozzle 68 surrounding the pressure nozzle.

The wall 66 preferably projects slightly beyond the nozzle 64, to insure a good peripheral seal when the device is pressed against the surface of the work, as for example'the upholstery of an automobile. The wall 66 projects far enough to sink into the upholstery to give an effective seal Y when then'ozzle 64 is brought into engagement with the surface of the work. The casting 64-66 is attached to the cleaning device body III by means such as a clamp nut I6 engaging the ring 44. If desired it may also have secured thereto a stamping I2 formed with an opening sleeved on the boss 32;

The casting 64-66 is shown extended at one side, at right angles to the handle I2, to form an outlet I4 for the suction nozzle 68. The outlet 14 is thus conveniently arranged to serve as a second handle adapted to be grasped by the left hand of an operator'whose right hand grasps the handle I2.

The outlet 14 has attached thereto a flexible conduit ,16 leading to a portable suction unit.

This unit is inclosed in a casing 66 mounted on a; base 82, which may if casters 64.

The unit is-provided, within this casing, with a motor 66 driving a centrifugal pump or fan having an impeller directly driven by the desired be supported on into the surface of the work whence, after discleaning action will then be sucked from the,

motor 66 andarranged in a housing 66. The intake at the axis of the housing 66 is connected to the conduit 16. The-outlet of the housing 66 is preferably in the form of an exhaust pipe 62 having secured thereto a flexible conduit 64 adapted to be projected out of doors below or through an opening in the sash 96 of a window in the wall 66 of the building in which the device is being used.

The motor 66 may be connected by a cord I66 to a base plug I62, and may be turned-on and off by a suitable switch I 64.

It will be seen that, with the motor 66 turned on the device can be moved back and forth in engagement with the work, the valves 2: and 62 being held open by the trigger 62. This causes the cleaning liquid to be atomized and sprayed solving out grease spots and the like, it is continuously removed by the suction of the suction nozzle 68. Preferably the device is moved back and forth over the work a short time after the valves 28 and 52 are permitted to close, to leave as little of the cleaning liquid odor as possible.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate an alternative con-' struction in which parts .corresponding to like parts in Figures 1 and 2 are designated 'by the same reference numerals plus I00. In this construction the cleaning liquid is supplied from a remote source through a hose or conduit I43 instead of from a container portable with the device. While the valve mechanism has not been shown in detail, it may be substantially similar to that of Figure 2.

A brush is mounted in the device to brush or scrub the material as it is cleaned and as shown includes a rod I63 rotatably mounted in' the nozzle and having on or more rows of bristles I66 thereon. The rod extends across the nozzle I64 adjacent one edge thereof and the bristles I65 are of such a length as to extend slightly beyond the front plane of the nozzle as seen in Figure 3.

In order to rotate the brush, the nozzle I66 is formed at its ends with integrally cast walls I 61 forming chambers I69 into which the ends of the rod I63 extend. The rod carries turbine wheels III in these chambers which are driven by compressed air conducted into the chambers by conduits I13 which extend into the chambers and terminate in nozzles I16 adjacent the turbine wheels. The conduits I13 preferably communicate with the compressed air passageposterior to the control valve so that the brush will be rotated when air is supplied to the spray but not otherwise.

The device of Figures 3 and 4 is used in sub- 4 and the material will be scrubbed or brushed while wet by the rotating brush. The cleaning liquid and any dirt particles loosened by the material through the outer nozzle I66.

While two embodiments of our invention have been described in detail, it is not our intention to limit its scope to thoseparticular embodiments, or otherwis than by the terms of the appended claims.

This app ication is a continuation in part of our copending application Serial No. 141,202, filed May 7,1937.

What is claimed is:

l. A portable cleaning device, adapted to be passed over upholstery orthe like which is tobe cleaned, comprising a head adapted to contact the upholstery and which comprises a flared inner nozzle and an outer nozzle coaxial therewith and spaced therefrom to provide an annular zone between them and both of which are constructed to seal against said upholstery, a source of suction connected to one of said nozzles, a source of cleaning liquid and a source of fluid under pressure connected to the other of said nozzles, and means for causing the fluid under pressure to project the cleaning liquid through said other nozzle against the upholstery in the form of a spray, said nozzles being rigid with the head and the outer nozzle projecting beyond the inner one tosinkinto the upholstery when the upholstery is engaged by the inner nozzle, give anefiective peripheral seal.

2. A cleaning device comprising a body formed at one end to be grasped by an operator and having a liquid passage and a passage. for pressure fluid extending therethrough and opening through the other end of the body adjacent each other, means for connecting the first passage to a source of cleaning liquid and the second passage to a source of .pressure fluid, a nozzle mounted over the ends of said passages and includinga central liquid projecting member communicating with the liquid passage and a member forming an annular chamber surrounding the central member and into which the pressure fluid passage opens and which has an outlet opening closely surrounding the outlet end of the central member and also including an elongated flaring mouth into which both of said members discharge, valves for said two passages, a single control for said valves, and a suction nozzlesurrounding said flaring mouth to provide a. suction zone for withdrawing cleaning liquid after acting on an article over which said associated nozzles are moved.

3. A cleaning device comprising a body formed at one end to be grasped by an operator and having a liquid passage anda passage for pressure fluid extending therethrough and opening through the other end of the body adjacent each other, means for connecting the first passageto a source of cleaning liquid and the second passage to a source of pressure fluid, a nozzle mounted over the ends of said passages and ineluding a central liquid projecting member communicating with theliquid passage and a member forming an annular chamber surrounding the central member and into which the pressure fluid passage opens and which has an. outlet opening closely surrounding the outlet end of the central member and also including an elongatedflaring mouth into which both of said members discharge, and a suction nozzle surrounding said flaring'mouth to provide a suction zone for withdrawing cleaning liquid aiter acting on an article over which said associated nozzles are moved.

4. A cleaning device comprising a body formed at one end to be grasped by an operator-and having a liquid passage and a pressure fluid passage extending therethrough, means for connecting the flrst passage to a source of cleaning liquid and the second passage to a source of pressure adapted to be pressed against material to be cleaned, a scrubbing member movablymounted in said nozzle in engagement with the material,

means for moving said member in the'nozzle while said member is is in engagement with the material, and a suction nozzle surrounding said first named nozzle and providing a suction zone around saidmouth for withdrawing cleaning liquid from the material as the cleaning device is moved over the material.

6. A cleaning device comprising a body formed at one end to be grasped by an operator and having a liquid passage and a pressure fluid passage extending therethrough, means for connecting the first passage to a source of cleaning liquid and the second passage to a source of pressure fluid. a spray device mounted at the other end of the body and communicating with both of said passages to form a liquid spray, a

the material.

7. A cleaning device comprising a body formed at one end to be grasped by an operator and having a liquid passage and a pressure fluid passage extending therethrough, means for connecting the first passage to a source of cleaning liquid and the second passage to a source of pressure fluid, a spray device mounted at the other end of the body and communicating with both of said passages to form'a liquid spray, a

nozzle secured to the body ,around the spray device toreceive the spray :therefrom and having'a mouth adapted to be pressed against material to be cleaned, a brush rotatably mounted in said nozzle, fluid operated means for rotating the fluid, a spray device mountedat the other .end

.of the body and communicating with both of said passages to form a liquid spray, a nozzle secured to the body around the spray device to receive the spray therefrom and having a mouth adapted to be pressed against material to be cleaned, and a suction nozzle surrounding and spaced from said first named nozzle andproviding a suction having a liquid passage and a pressure fluid passage extending therethrough, means for conbrush, a connection from the pressure fluid passage to the fiuidoperated means, and a suction nozzle surrounding said first named nozzle andproviding a suction zone around said mouth for I withdrawing cleaning liquid from the material as the cleaning device is moved over the material.

8. A cleaning device comprising a flaring nozzle. a spray device in said nozzle, means for con ducting a cleaning liquid to the spray device to be prayed through thenozzle onto material to -be cleaned, a scrubbing member in .the nozzle to engage and scrub the material, means 'to move said scrubb ng member in the nozzle while said fluid pressure means connected to said gas presnectingthe first passage to a source of cleaning liquid and the second passage to a source'oi' pressure fluid. a s ray device mounted at the other end of the body and communicating with both .of said passages to form a liquid spray, a nozzle secured to the body around the spray device to receive the spray therefrom and having a mouth sure passa e for moving said scrubbing member,

and a suction nozzle surrounding the flrst named nozzle and providing a suction zone for withdrawing cleaning liquid fromZthe material.

10. A cleaning device comprising a flaring nozzle, a spray device in said nozzle, means forming a cleaning liquid passage and a gas pressure passagecommunicating with the spray device whereby cleaning liquid will vbe sprayed through the nozzle onto material to be cleaned, a

and having a liquid passage and a passage for pressure fluid extending therethrough and opening through the other end of the body adjacent each other, means for connecting the first passage to a source or cleaning liquid and the second passage to a source-of pressure fluid, a nozzle mounted over the ends of said passages and including a central liquid projecting member com-- municating with the liquid passage and a member forming an annular chamber surrounding the central member and into which the pressure fluid passage opens and which has an outlet opening closely surrounding the outlet end of the central member and also including an elongated flaring mouth into which both of said members discharge, and a suction nozzle co-axial with and spaced iromsaid flaring mouth to provide a suction zone for withdrawing cleaning liquid after acting on an article over which said associated nozzles are moved.

JOHN W. CHAMBERLIN. REX EARL BASSE'I'I'. Jll. 

